Haitians living in Belize still unable to reach families

Earlier today, the Prime Minister of Haiti, Rene Preval, said that at least seventy thousand bodies have been recovered from the rubble, but as many as two hundred thousand are feared dead. The earthquake that hit the island one week ago has left wanton death and destruction, and the compelling images from Haiti tell the story of a devastated country in urgent need of assistance. Family and friends try desperately to reach their loved ones in the island and as Marion Ali found out, Haitians in Belize face the same predicament.

Marion Ali, Reporting

The aftermath of the earthquake that rocked Haiti one week ago turned out devastating for a number of Haitians living in Belize. News Five caught up with four men this morning who gathered to comfort each other after learning that they had all lost close relatives in the quake. Jean Choule has been living in Belize for the past six years and says he might never see some of his relatives again.  Since the earthquake, he has been trying eagerly to reach his family back home, but the efforts have not brought good tidings.

Jean Choule, Lost Relatives in Earthquake

“I can’t get contact with some, I get of my family dead, I got some who lose the foot, I got some who nobody can’t find them.”

This man lost his entire family but won’t be able to return because he does not have the money.

Olis Nixon, lost family in earthquake

“My ma is dead, my sister and my father.”

Marion Ali

“Everybody died?”

Olis Nixon

“Everybody.”

Jean Choule says he may not be able to search for his missing family.

Jean Choule

Jean Choule

“I planning to visit Haiti, I don’t know if I will get a visa to go from Belize City to Miami, Miami to Haiti to see what happen to my family, my ma, my wife and my kids.”

These other men also lost relatives in the quake and like their friends, they too will not be able to make the trip back home to look for missing relatives.  The sense of hopelessness overpowers them as they continue to pray for the best but prepare for the worst.  Marion Ali for News Five.